party line

[ pahr-tee lahyn pahr-tee lahyn ]

noun

1. the authorized, prescribed policies and practices of a group, especially of the Communist Party, usually followed by the members without deviation; official philosophy or credo.
2. the guiding policy, tenets, or practices of a political party:

   The judge was chosen on party lines.

3. a telephone line connecting the telephones of a number of subscribers by one circuit to a central office, used in some rural areas.
4. the boundary line separating adjoining properties.

party line

noun

1. a telephone line serving two or more subscribers
2. the policies or dogma of a political party, to which all members are expected to subscribe
3. the boundary between adjoining property

Other Words From

• party-line adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of party line¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Idioms and Phrases

The official policy of an organization or government, as in The current party line opposes legalized abortion in all cases . This term, dating from about 1830, was originally used for a political party's official policy but in the mid-1900s was almost exclusively applied to the rigid dicta of the Soviet Communist Party. Since then it has returned to looser use.

Example Sentences

The vote on a resolution to remove Greene from her committee assignments broke along party lines, with nearly all Republicans opposing the resolution.

From TechCrunch

Obama administration officials have cited the Bush administration for an exceptionally smooth transition in 2009, despite it happening across party lines.

From Washington Post

Just like it’s irrational that they’d believe an election is fraudulent because of a political party line.

From Washington Post

Friday’s vote, however, was largely along party lines, with Democrats voting overwhelmingly to support the federal decriminalization bill and all but five Republicans broadly opposing it.

From Washington Post

No, what matters to its target audience is adherence to a party line.

From Vox

Taking to the small screen represents a big departure by Pippa from the Royal party line.

From The Daily Beast

But the other couples are mainly devout Catholics who toe the party line when it comes to birth control and divorce.

From The Daily Beast

Some Latino and African-American Democrats have already departed from the party line on immigration.

From The Daily Beast

It denies the true Muslim status of virtually all enemies, even active Islamists who do not toe the party line.

From The Daily Beast

It had previously passed the Arizona State Senate on a party line vote.

From The Daily Beast

"We'll hook old Mitch on our party line, sometime, Frank," he said.

From Project Gutenberg

The party line between Whig and Tory turned ostensibly upon this issue.

From Project Gutenberg

This idea made the "party line" practicable, and at once created a boom in the use of the telephone by enterprising farmers.

From Project Gutenberg

"Company promised to finish the party line next month," answered Sandy.

From Project Gutenberg

During the campaign, the line of division on annexation had been a party line—Democrats favoring; Whigs opposing.

From Project Gutenberg